1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am at SEMA 2013

Owner Albert Melchoir is currently displaying his super-clean 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am at the MSD booth outside the SEMA 2013 convention in Las Vegas, Nevada. We noticed and had to take a closer look. The car has some very unique body, paint, drivetrain, and suspension upgrades. Read the following details and let us know what you think of this incredible ride.

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From afar, we could tell the 1973 Firebird was different. With big letters reading “BFGoodrich Tire Bird” on the doors, this car reminds us of what used to race in the old Trans Am races of the ‘60s and ‘70s. When we got closer, we realized this car was just that: a purpose-built racecar.

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Wedged between the fenders is a monstrous LS3 416ci stroker built by West Bend Dyno and Wegner Motorsports capable of 640hp with 550lb-ft of torque. The engine sucks air through an MSD throttle body, which is sent through an MSD atomic EFI atop an Edelbrock intake. The LS3 burns 93-octane pump gas with 11:1:0 compression and sends the Wiseco forged pistons down, which turns a K1 Technologies crankshaft and connecting rods. A COMP cam controls intake and exhaust valves through a set of CNC ported heads. The 1973 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am stays at a normal operating temperature due to Perma-Cool coolers. A Keisler T56 six-speed transmission with a Centerforce dyad clutch hooks to a Ford 9-inch rearend. A set of Dynatech three-inch pipes send the exhaust to a pair of Flowmaster mufflers to complete the setup.

The Trans Am is riding smoothly with a Detroit Speed Engineering (DSE) tubular subframe up front and a Ridetech four-link out back. Ridetech triple adjustment coilovers are at all four corners, with Wilwood four-piston calipers at the front and rear doing the stopping. Keeping the 1973 Pontiac Firebird planted are a set of Evod Industries, custom-built three-piece rally II style rims wrapped in BFGoodrich g-Force rivals P335/30ZR tires.

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Outside, the Trans Am is wrapped in a Flat Pearl Blue 3M body vinyl by Christian Melchior and Vaughan. Carbon Kustoms inner and outer fenders are hung on the Tire Bird, while a carbon fiber hood protects the engine. Inside, Sparco 505 custom upholstered the seats and door panels, while Gauge Mark made the gauges. All-in-all, this is one very clean, and very special 1973 Pontiac Firebird.